Trim structure and bracket

ABSTRACT

Brackets are provided to attach a trim item having a nailing flange to an exterior wall of a building. The brackets have a generally planar profile formed from two elongated strips attached along a fold line. The brackets are attached to adjacent studs of an exterior wall with a nail flange of the trim item fixed between the elongated strips of the bracket. Siding is then applied over the brackets and the nailing flange to conceal both the bracket and the nailing flange of the trim item.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When the exterior walls of a house or building are covered with siding, trim items are typically used to support light fixtures, surround water or hose fittings, and support electrical outlets. Other trim items include gable vents and eaves vents. Generally, the exterior wall of a building will include vertical studs with an insulated foam material nailed to the studs. The siding is attached over this foam by nailing it to the underlying studs. The trim items are attached to the same surface as the siding. Preferably, these trim items are also nailed to a stud, or rafter in the case of an eaves vent. Most of these trim items are not large enough to extend between two studs. Further, studs are not always located where one wishes to attach the trim item.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is premised on the realization that a trim item having a nailing flange can be attached to an exterior wall or overhang of a building using a bracket member. The bracket member is formed from a planar metal strip which is folded on itself to form first and second strips overlying each other, with nail holes extended through the first and second strips. The nailing flange of the trim element fits within the area between the two strips and the bracket is then nailed to two adjacent structure supports, i.e., studs or rafters. Preferably, two brackets are used, one above and below the trim element, each with a nailing flange located between the strips of the bracket. The vinyl siding is then applied, butted against the walls of the trim element covering the bracket and the nail flange of the trim element.

The objects and advantages of the present invention will be further appreciated in light of the following detailed description and drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially broken away of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bracket of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention partially assembled; and

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken at lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, brackets 12 a and 12 b are used to attach a trim item 14 to structural supports of a building. Structural supports can include any exterior framing structure such as a studs, rafters or other framing members. The structural supports shown are studs 16 a and 16 b which form part of an exterior wall 18 of a building. Siding 22 covers wall 18 abutted against the trim item 14.

The trim item 14 can be a wide variety of different trim items adapted for use in a vinyl sided building. These trim items all incorporate a nailing flange which is comparable to the nailing flange utilized in vinyl siding. Typical trim items include mounting brackets for electrical fixtures or outlets, such as disclosed in Vagedes U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,723,921 and 4,726,152; trim for a hose faucet, as disclosed in Vagedes U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,619; dryer vents with nail flanges; eaves vents; or, soffit vents. Basically, any trim item for vinyl siding that incorporates a nailing flange can be used as part of the present invention. The disclosures of all of the above cited patents are hereby incorporated by reference.

As shown, the trim 14 item is a mounting block for an electrical fixture 15 (shown in phantom) and it includes four side walls 28. Extending at a 90 degree angle from the side walls are nailing flanges 36. As shown, these four nailing flanges 36 form a continuous nailing flange around the periphery of the trim item 14, allowing the trim item to be attached to the building either lengthwise or widthwise. As shown, the nailing flange 36 preferably includes a plurality of holes 38 that extend through the flange 36.

As shown, two brackets 12 a and 12 b are used. Although less preferred, the trim item 14 could be attached using only one bracket 12. The brackets 12 a and 12 b are identical. They include a first strip 46 and a second strip 48 connected to each other at a fold or edge 50. As shown, strips 46 and 48 are mirror images of each other. However, one strip can be wider than the other as long as they partially overlap to form a channel. Preferably, strips 46 and 48 include a plurality of aligned nail holes 52. The brackets 12 a and 12 b each have a length that is effective to extend between adjacent studs. Usually studs are spaced 16 inches on center. Therefore, these brackets 12 would be generally 17½ inches in length, or longer. The brackets 12 are preferably formed from a single strip of metal folded on itself to form strips 46 and 48. Bracket 12 can also be formed from extruded plastic.

Brackets 12 a and 12 b are attached to the outer surface 58 of building wall 18. Outer surface 58 is, as shown, a foam insulating board 60 which is nailed to the wall studs 16 a,b. The brackets 12 a and 12 b are attached to the studs 16 a,b with fasteners 62 extended through holes 52 through foam board 60 into studs 16 a and 16 b. Opposed nailing flanges 36 of trim item 14 are positioned between first and second strips 46 and 48 of brackets 12 a and 12 b. This holds the trim item 14 in position. One or more fasteners 64 extend through nail holes 52 and through nail holes (not shown) in the nailing flange 36. Fastener 64 can be a rivet, a screw, or a nail. This prevents the trim item from sliding side to side prior to the siding being attached. Other means can be used to prevent the trim item 14 from sliding back and forth, such as dimples located in the first and second strips 46,48, or simply by compression of the first strip 46 against the second strip 48.

After the trim item 14 is attached to wall surface 58 with brackets 12, siding 22 is applied to the exterior surface 58, abutting against the side walls 28 of trim item 14. Any type of exterior siding can be employed, including stucco. However, this is used primarily with vinyl siding.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the trim item 14 has a removable outer J channel member 20 which snaps over the trim item 14 to conceal the edges of siding 22. Many trim items are molded as one piece with an integral J channel. Some trim items may have a nailing flange without a J channel.

Because the bracket 12 is basically planar, one strip of metal folded on itself, it does not cause the siding 22, which covers the bracket 12, to bulge significantly. If the bracket 12 did not have a planar profile, siding covering the bracket would bulge outwardly and create an unsightly appearance.

Thus, bracket 16 allows trim items to be attached to an exterior surface of a building wall with vinyl siding or other metal siding butted against the trim item covering the nailing flange of the trim item as well as the bracket itself. This allows the item to be firmly attached at virtually any location on the exterior wall of the building.

It is preferred that the bracket 12 have mirror image, overlapping strips 46 and 48. However, strip 48 can be narrower than strip 46 as long as they overlap and a channel is formed between the strips which can receive the nailing flange of trim item 14.

Further, it is preferred that the bracket 12 include nail holes to allow the trim item 14 to be attached to the bracket with a fastener. However, it is not essential to attach the trim item to the bracket with a fastener. The siding once attached to the wall and surrounding the trim item holds the trim item at its intended location. But, using a fastener will facilitate installation.

This has been a description of the present invention along with the preferred method of practicing the present invention. However, the invention itself should only be defined by the appended claims. 

1. A siding trim member attached to support elements of a: building wall, said trim member having a plurality of side walls, said trim member including a first nailing flange extended from at least one of said side walls of said trim member; a first bracket comprising first and second elongated opposed strips connected along an edge; said first bracket attached to said support elements with said first nailing flange between said first and second opposed strips; and siding attached to said building wall abutting said side walls of said trim member and covering said bracket.
 2. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said trim member includes a second nailing flange; a second bracket comprising first and second elongated opposed strips attached along an edge, each strip of said second bracket having corresponding nail holes, said second bracket attached to support elements of said building wall; and said second nailing flange located between said opposed strips of said second bracket.
 3. The structure claimed in claim 1 further comprising a fastener extended through a nailing hole in said first bracket and through said first nailing flange.
 4. The structure claimed in claim 2 further comprising an insulating panel member between said support elements and said brackets.
 5. The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein said trim member is a vent.
 6. The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein said trim member is a light mounting bracket.
 7. The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein said trim member is a faucet trim.
 8. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said trim member is a dryer vent.
 9. A planar bracket adapted to attach a trim member to a wall surface consisting of first and second planar metal strips connected along a fold line, said planar metal strips having aligned nail holes. 